Guernsey Press

Tardif gives a thumbs up to Scott’s venture

GUERNSEY manager Chris Tardif has praised James Scott’s efforts in gaining ConIFA membership on Jersey football’s behalf.

Published
Former Jersey captain James Scott is the driving force behind 'Parishes of Jersey FC' who have had their application to join ConIFA accepted this week. (Picture by Adrian Topley, 22506784)

Scott, a former Jersey Muratti defender, has been the man behind a bid to join the Confederation of Independent Football Associations with a team under the guise of ‘Parishes of Jersey FC’, an independent body whose application was accepted by ConIFA on Tuesday evening.

ConIFA is a volunteer-run organisation which includes self-proclaimed ‘nations’ such as Panjab FA, who Jersey have played three friendlies against in three years, Tibet, Northern Cyprus, Tuvalu and a satellite squad representing the Isle of Man.

‘I’m really happy that we have been accepted, we met the criteria they put by ticking all the boxes,’ said Scott, who will manage the side and has arranged to play home matches at St Peter FC.

‘Our biggest barrier was the political side of playing against teams with a conflict of interest and after speaking with Ian Gorst [former chief minister] and Steve Pallett we’ve been told there is no conflict of interest, so we went ahead.

‘Finance is the big hurdle now, we wanted to be accepted first and now we will work hard to get sponsorship.

‘We know it’s going to be expensive, we are being told that the next World Cup could be in North America, Sydney or Africa and we are going to keep busy looking for potential sponsors to support us on our journey.’

Tardif finds the venture intriguing and said he would always back something that gives players the chance to compete at as high a level as possible.

‘It’s a great opportunity for them and their players, so fair play to them,’ said the island manager.

‘Playing against what I would anticipate to be strong opposition will always improve their players – it will push them both mentally and physically.

‘If it works for them, great, and if it brings the level of Channel Islands football up again, that’s fantastic.’

  • More in Thursday's Guernsey Press.